Aisle standard for theater chairs



July 28, 1953 A. c. SELLERS AISLE STANDARD FOR THEATER CHAIRS Filed March 8, 1948 Patented July 28, 1953 AISLE STANDARD FOR THEATER CHAIRS Austin 0. Sellers, Menominee, Mich., assignor to Heywood-Wakefield Company, Gardner, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 8, 1948, Serial No. 13,573

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in aisle standards for theatre chairs and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an aisle standard for theatre chairs of a light-weight but strong construction, which eliminates the disadvantages of aisle standards made of cast metal, as heretofore.

Another object of the invention is to provide a standard of this kind, which is constructed to provide smooth surfaces throughout, devoid of edges presenting a tearing hazard for garments and hosiery of the theatre patrons, either when entering, occupying or leaving the chair, of which the standard forms a part.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a standard of a construction which better lends itself to styling and surface finishes and thereby enhances the appearance of the chair, as a whole.

Again, it is an object if the invention to provide a standard of this kind, of such construction that the entire body thereof may be made of sheet metal parts welded together so that there can be no breakage, even under the rough handling and use it may receive.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a standard of this kind, which may be easily cleaned and maintained in a sanitary condition.

Again, it is an object of the invention to provide a standard of this kind, which readily lends itself to the application of an aisle light, when such a light is desired.

Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a standard of this kind, wherein an arm rest is operatively connected to the top end of the standard in a novel manner, so that it cannot become loose therefrom to rattle or be displaced therefrom.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others, together with the advantages thereof, will more fully appear as the specification proceeds.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a theatre chair having as a part thereof an aisle standard embodying the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the improved standard from the inner side or face thereof and on a scale substantially the same as that of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the improved standard as taken on the line 33 and on a scale larger than that of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical sectional view through a part of the upper portion of the standard and arm rest thereon, as taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and on a scale enlarged over that of Fig. 3 and more particularly shows the driven on or pressed on connection the arm rest has with the standard and which will be more fully described later. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail horizontal sectional views as taken on the line 55 and 6-6 respectively of Fig. 2, on the scale of Fig. 3.

In general the improved aisle standard includes an upright hollow body with inner and outer laterally spaced panels of suitably formed sheet metal, one of the panels having front and rear end flanges which at least in part overlap and are welded to the front and rear margins of the other panel. One of said panels is provided at the bottom with front and rear feet that form a base for the standard and by which it is fixed to a supporting surface such as a floor.

The upper end of the hollow body has an inwardly extending flange that is fixed to one of the panels and this flange has pairs of upwardly punched fingers to enter and tightly grip in an associated recess in the bottom of an arm rest when the latter is driven or pressed toward its engaged position on the standard.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing and more particularly to Fig. 1, a theatre chair is therein shown, which includes an upright aisle standard Ill made in accordance with one form of the invention and an upright center standard I l spaced laterall therefrom. Between said standards is disposed the seat l2 of the chair and which is herein shown as in its out of use, raised position. At the rear of the seat is the back rest l3 for the chair. Both the seat and the back rest are supported from the standards It and H, but as the arrangement of the parts forming the connection between said seat and back rest form no particular part of the present invention, it is not believed necessary to illustrate or to describe the same in detail herein.

The aisle standard embodies therein an outer panel 14 and an inner panel I5 spaced laterally therefrom, both of said panels being made of suitably firm sheet metal. The front and rear part of the standard are of a curved streamlined contour instead of being perpendicular or straight. Preferably the outer panel IQ of the standard IE] is formed .along its front and rear margins with flanges l6 and I1 respectively and which have a rounded cross sectional shape or contour of more than in extent.

The front end flange IE5 extends from the top to the bottom of the standard while the rear flange ll extends from the bottom upwardly to about half the height of the standard, the upper portion of said flange having a lesser circumferential extent, as appears in Figs. 2 and 5. These flanges are preferably formed as integral parts of the front and rear margins of the outer panel. The free margins of said flanges are curled to overlap and engage upon front and rear marginal portions of the inner panel, and are welded thereto as indicated at it, best shown in Fig. 2.

The top edge of the inner panel i5 is disposed slightly below the top edge of the outer panel and there has welded to it an inwardly extending arm rest attaching flange it, which best appears in Figs. 3 and l. One margin of this flange overlaps the top edge of the inner panel and is welded thereto as at Zil in Fig. 4.

The bottom edge of the inner panel terminates in a plane above the like edge of. the outer panel, as best appears in 2. The bottom edge of theoutcr panel is provided at its front and rear ends with front and rear feet ill and 22 respectively (see Fig. 2), which are preferably made of pieces separate from but welded to the panel. These feet provide a base for the standard. as a whole and by means of which the standard may be rigidly fixed to a supporting floor.

The inner panel is flat and the midportion of the outer panel is also flat and is disposed parallel with the inner panel. To stiffen outer panel against bulging in or out, as well. as to impart a decorative appearance to the outer panel. the same is provided with laterally spaced outwardly formed headings 23 that extend from the top to the bottom edge of the panel, as best appears in Fig. l.

The rear flange ll of the outer panel extends substantially halfway up the rear of the inner panel. to leave a portion lila (see Fig. 2) of said margin uncovered or exposed Projecting through this portion Eda of the panel, from the inner side thereof is a pair of screws 24 preferably welded in place. fhese screws afford a part of the means whereby the back rest is operatively attached thereto for support.

At the bottom of the inner panel 55 toward the rear thereof is affixed a bracket 25 which affords a part of the means for support ng the seat 52. As the supporting structure for the seat and back rest form no par 'cular part of the present invention, th same is not shown in detail herein nor is it so cscribed.

The arm rest for the standard is indicated at 1 255. It is preferably made of a block of solid material, such as a piece of hard wood of an area to overhang the sides and the front and rear ends of the top of the standard and its bottom surface rests flush on the top edge of the outer panel and upon the is. At longitudinally spaced points along this flange, opposite marginal parts thereof are punched upwardly therefrom to form laterally spaced upstanding fingers 21 that best appear in Fig. 4. In the underside of the arm rest are formed recesses 28 disposed to re ister with the pairs of fingers 21. When the arm rest is located in position with respect to the top end of the standard, with the recesses 28- in register with the fingers 2'5, the arm rest may be driven or pressed toward the standard at which time the fingers enter the recesses and are wedged therein to form a rigid grip that effectively holds the arm rest in place.

Provisions are made whereby a concealed screw may also be employed, if desired, to afford extra precaution in securing the arm rest in place. Therefore the upper central part of the inner panel is pressed inwardly as a recess 29 (see Fig. 2) to expose a part of the flange ll and which flange part has an opening therein for the passage of a screw 3i! that is threaded into the arm rest. All that is visible of this screw is its head in the recess, but no part thereof is exposed beyond the plane of the inner panel.

By means of the structure described, a light weight, strong and rigid aisle standard is afforded and in which there are no rough edges to form tearing hazards for garments or hosiery of persons entering, occupying or leaving the chair, of which the standard forms a part. The entire standard provides a smooth surface and readily takes finish coatings of any desired type, when either brushed or sprayed thereon. Such a surface is easily cleaned. The improved standard, though of hollow sheet metal structure, will not rumble or buckle.

While in describing the invention 1 have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the parts embodied therein, the same is to be consi .ered only in the illustrative sense and therefore I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in appended claims.

claim as my invention:

1. In an aisle standard for theatre chairs, an upright hollow body embodyin therein laterally spaced outer and inner panels, the inner panel being substantially flat throughout its width and the outer panel having full length inturned front rear flanges arranged with their inner marg lapping engagement with the front argins of that side of the inner panel cured alon their edges thereto, the rear inturned flange of the outer panel having a cut away inner margin extending downwardly from the top thereof, which exposes the upper portion of the rear margin of the inner panel.

2. In an aisle standard for theatre chairs, an upright hollow body embodying therein laterally spaced outer and inner panels, the inner panel being substantially flat throughout its width and the outer panel having full length inturned front and rear flanges arranged with their inner margins in overlapping engagement with the front and rear margins of said side of the inner panel which faces inwardly of the standard, and secured along their edges thereto, the rear inturned flange of the outer panel having a cut away inner margin extending downwardly from the top thereof, which exposes the upper portion of the rear margin of the inner panel, and means carried by and extending inwardly from said exposed upper portion of the rear margin of the inner panel for attaching a part of an associated back rest to said standard.

3. In an aisle standard for a theatre chair, an upright hollow body embodying therein laterally spaced outer and inner panels having their top ends disposed in substantially the same horizon tal plane, which panels are connected together at their front and rear margins, a flange extending laterally from the top end of one of said panels toward the top end of the other of said panels, a part of the top end of said one of said panels, below said flange, being displaced in wardly toward said other of said panels to expose a part of the underside of said flange, an arm rest engaged on said top end of said outer panel and on said flange, means providing a projection and recess in engagement therewith between said arm rest and said flange and a fastener extending through said exposed part of the flange and into said arm rest for attaching the arm rest to the standard.

AUSTIN C. SELLERS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Roth Oct. 1, 1946 Number D. 145,678

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